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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 4 Wheel Drives => Topic started by: widener85 on July 22, 2009, 06:19:36 pm
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i have a 85 single tire one ton with a 4 inch lift and 2 inch body. the truck has a355 that i built. i need to know how to make it a trail truck but also good in the mud
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I am not a 4 wheeler but I would like to be the first to welcome you to the site.
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I would start with good tires, and lockers.
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It all kinda depends on your ability and money. Personally, I would start from the ground up. Tires, axles, lockers and gears are what you will need if it actually has one ton running gear. And will it be more of a trail truck with occasional mud or the other way around? If its mostly a trail truck you could probably get away with an open front axle so you could still steer it somewhat. Other than that, with a decent lift you have and a 355 you should be good
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You have a good start there, should have a dana 60 in the front and a corp. 14 bolt for axels. install some 456 gears an air locker in the front and rear. The lift you have should clear 36" tires.Or go BIGGER! with more lift.get rid of the stock steering and go with a crossover setup with hydro asst or complete hydro steering. Strenthen the frame around the strreing box.
Not sure what tranny/transfur you have, but i'd go with a 465 4-speed and a 205, install the twin stick kit in the 205.
You can read for hours at pirate4x4.com if your going to post over there be sure its in the newbe section, if not have your flame suit on.
Steve
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do you want to have this as a dedicated mudder, or more of a trail truck that can romp in the mud? If it's the latter, what kind of trails are you running? The last factor that determines the build is how often (if at all) the truck will get driven on the street.
The good news (as others have pointed out) is that you already have some pretty stout running gear under the truck.
A couple things you should do regardless of how the truck is going to be used is to beef up your cooling system and to strengthen the frame around the steering box area.
A good recipie for a mud truck is big axles (which you've got), big power, and big tires. Throw a set of 38" Boggers on some beadlocks (with some judicious fender trimming), 4.88's in the axles, weld up the rear diff and a detroit in the front, and a 100 shot of nitrous if you're planning on going through the big pits. Suspension articulation is not a huge concern on a truck like this, so a pair of beefy traction bars on the rear axle wouldn't be out of place.
As for a trail truck, I'm going to assume some rock crawling, some dune running, and a bit of mud whumping every so often. Since crawling over obstacles with a fullsize very often involves dragging the truck itself over obstacles, protection is needed. Start by fabbing some skidplates for your tranny and T case. A rock ring for the fron t axles would not be out of the question, and shaving the bottom of the corporate 14 bolt is an old and proven rock crawler trick. A good, high clearance bumper is almost a necessity. You may also consider replacing the bed or bobbing it for a better departure angle. Rocker protection would be nice, but not a necessity.
A set of 36's on steel beadlocks would be good. Stuffing the pumpkins with 4.56's and using a spool or Detroit in the rear would be good, as would an ARB or Ox locker in the front.
As far as the suspension goes, your 4 inch lift is a good size, but you have to make sure it flexes. Using longer springs along with relocating the hangers and perches would give you the same lif you have now but would allow you to have a flatter spring pack, which usually gives you more flex. A sway bar disconnect system would furhter enchance the front end flex. For the rear, a shackle flip and longer springs would again give you more flex with a flatter pack. ORD makes some good heavy duty greasable shackles for the fron t and rear along with beefed up braketry for the springs that really enhance performance.
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Could always put zero rates in to move the front axle forward an inch and a half, and give another inch in height front and back. Will also help with driveshaft angle.
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This post is like 6 months old.. The last time the user was on the board was the day this was posted.....
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This post is like 6 months old.. The last time the user was on the board was the day this was posted.....
Sorry, should have checked the date. I think that there's still some good info on the thread.
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Haha....too funny...
Oh well.....good for people using the search function.
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I have built some serous mud trucks and I know this kids problem, he needs to
PUT THE OTHER 3 TIRES ON
look at post single tire 1 ton I just had to add this
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lol yea i bet that would help 1x1 :P